Never done a track day
Discussion
A lot of the basic information you will need is covered here : http://bookatrack.com/-pb_Frequently-Asked-Questio... - though this isn't a plug specifically for BaT, I just think this FAQ covers most of the basics 
A few things:
- They have several potential purposes, including to have fun, to develop car control, and as a stepping stone to club racing. Think about what you'd be aiming to do.
- The actual expense is probably 3 times the organiser's fee itself. You'll go through tyres and brakes far more quickly than you would do in normal road driving; you'll also put disproportionate wear on engine, gearbox, clutch, etc.
- Some circuits are better to learn on than others. Bedford is quite good because, if you go off, there isn't much to hit. It also has few elevation changes. Elevation changes can catch you out because it takes a while to learn how crests and going downhill can destabilise a car.
- Some of the best learning that you will ever do is on a track day when it's wet. It requires a lot of self-restraint, but you'll be glad that you did it.
- Another important learning source on track days is experimenting with tyre pressures, which can make a huge difference in how a car handles.
- Early on, you really, really should take some instruction from someone who knows what he or she is doing. Not all instructors know what they're doing, and not all amateurs don't. You don't necessarily need a lot of instruction, but you need some to know the basics, on which you can build on your own.
- Without special provisions, your road insurance won't apply on the circuit.
- Occasionally, police (esp under the direction of the dubious Brunstrum) have been known to pull cars just after they have left a track day, in order to check that their tread depth is still legal.
- Don't get suckered into going to the Nurburgring until you know what you are doing.
- They have several potential purposes, including to have fun, to develop car control, and as a stepping stone to club racing. Think about what you'd be aiming to do.
- The actual expense is probably 3 times the organiser's fee itself. You'll go through tyres and brakes far more quickly than you would do in normal road driving; you'll also put disproportionate wear on engine, gearbox, clutch, etc.
- Some circuits are better to learn on than others. Bedford is quite good because, if you go off, there isn't much to hit. It also has few elevation changes. Elevation changes can catch you out because it takes a while to learn how crests and going downhill can destabilise a car.
- Some of the best learning that you will ever do is on a track day when it's wet. It requires a lot of self-restraint, but you'll be glad that you did it.
- Another important learning source on track days is experimenting with tyre pressures, which can make a huge difference in how a car handles.
- Early on, you really, really should take some instruction from someone who knows what he or she is doing. Not all instructors know what they're doing, and not all amateurs don't. You don't necessarily need a lot of instruction, but you need some to know the basics, on which you can build on your own.
- Without special provisions, your road insurance won't apply on the circuit.
- Occasionally, police (esp under the direction of the dubious Brunstrum) have been known to pull cars just after they have left a track day, in order to check that their tread depth is still legal.
- Don't get suckered into going to the Nurburgring until you know what you are doing.
Best bet is to go along to a local trackday just to watch. Chat to a few drivers etc and maybe blag a ride round, it's usually not expensive to sign in as a passenger - around a tenner or some events it's FOC.
Do it that way and when you spend on going to your first event as a driver you'll have some idea of what's going on.
Steve H
TA-OL
Do it that way and when you spend on going to your first event as a driver you'll have some idea of what's going on.
Steve H
TA-OL
Hi Tom,
Best advice is work up gradually and get some tuition. If you're reasonably competent track day instruction probably won't focus on your car control that much, but it will help you learn the track a lot quicker.
Depending on where you are in Bedfordshire you're spoilt for choice. Bedford Autodrome is the obvious suggestion providing you're dirving something that will pass the noise limit. The South West circuit is great fun - a bit featurless to learn first time out, but very entertaining. It also has the advantage that there's a lot of run off everywhere. However, at the risk of stating the obvious you should try and keep it on the black stuff and pointing in the right direction regardless of that! I can't comment on Rockingham and Silverstone, but they're obvious possibilities. And if you want to head further south Brands Hatch (in Indy form at least) is one of the easiest circuits to find your way around, it does have a couple of tricky corners though - Paddock Hill in particular - which demmand respect.
I think Graham's idea is a good one too - half the fun of track days is swapping passenger laps and oggling the machinery on display so if you're particularly close to a circuit then maybe see if you can head over as a spectator some time? Not sure if that's possible at Bedford though?
Best advice is work up gradually and get some tuition. If you're reasonably competent track day instruction probably won't focus on your car control that much, but it will help you learn the track a lot quicker.
Depending on where you are in Bedfordshire you're spoilt for choice. Bedford Autodrome is the obvious suggestion providing you're dirving something that will pass the noise limit. The South West circuit is great fun - a bit featurless to learn first time out, but very entertaining. It also has the advantage that there's a lot of run off everywhere. However, at the risk of stating the obvious you should try and keep it on the black stuff and pointing in the right direction regardless of that! I can't comment on Rockingham and Silverstone, but they're obvious possibilities. And if you want to head further south Brands Hatch (in Indy form at least) is one of the easiest circuits to find your way around, it does have a couple of tricky corners though - Paddock Hill in particular - which demmand respect.
I think Graham's idea is a good one too - half the fun of track days is swapping passenger laps and oggling the machinery on display so if you're particularly close to a circuit then maybe see if you can head over as a spectator some time? Not sure if that's possible at Bedford though?
www.motorsport-events.com do airfield days in reasonable reach of LB. About 100 - 110 quids and you're off. Even less to hit - miles of runoff.
Definitely get some instruction! The best indication of whether an instructor knows what he/she is doing is their licence grade. The A.T.D.O. (Association of Track Day Organisers) recommend the use of only A.R.D.S. (or otherwise approved - there aren't any!) Instructors; A.R.D.S. Instructors are licensed and recognised by the M.S.A. (Motor Sports Association). A.R.D.S. (The Association of racing Driver's Schools) approve only Grade S, A and B Instructors to work on track days. Ask to see the instructor's licence! 
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